The plans had been to use the beluga whales - who were caught in the Sea of Okhotsk and were last reported to be held in Russia's Utrish Marine Mammal Research Station - in a breeding program with SeaWorld, helping to produce more captive belugas for exhibits. But earlier this month, with the court case still pending, SeaWorld reversed its decision to use the belugas. SeaWorld publicly admitted their change in policy, taking a slight stance on wild-caught animals, and animal advocates called the move one of the biggest effects of the 2013 documentary "Blackfish" so far.

"We are thrilled with the court's ruling," said Dr. Naomi Rose, marine mammal scientist at the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI). "The MMPA [Marine Mammal Protection Act] was enacted to protect marine mammals from harm and exploitation and that is exactly what it has done in this case. The US will thankfully not be part of the unsustainable and inhumane trade in belugas out of Russia."

Where it used to be that no one batted an eye about catching intelligent marine mammals from the wild and putting them in tanks, with yesterday's ruling, animal lovers are rejoicing at the change in tide. "This is good news for whale conservation worldwide," Tyler Sniff, an attorney for AWI, told Reuters.

While the Georgia Aquarium can still appeal the case, the 18 beluga whales will remain in Russia - for now.